If you own a commercial property, you likely know that maintaining the property is important to ensure safety. The roofs that cover commercial properties provide protection against the elements, but they can also wreak havoc and introduce dangers within properties if they are not maintained.

You likely know that there are differences between residential roofing services and commercial roofing services. These differences result in different roofing materials, roofing designs, and maintenance. Built-up roofing is often used for commercial properties, particularly those with flat-roof designs. The following points will help you to understand some of the perks of choosing built-up roofing for your commercial property.

Fire Retardant

Many commercial properties contain expensive equipment, supplies, and goods. Some properties also have important documents stored within them. A fire can wreak havoc on commercial properties, and the damaging effects can exceed the location of the fire quickly. This means that adjacent businesses and nearby structures can also get engulfed by flames or pose a safety risk. Choosing a build-up roofing material involves selecting fire-retardant materials such as ballasted asphalt.

Carefree Maintenance

Some property owners assume that the asphalt used in built-up roofing design is the same as the asphalt shingles for residential properties. Built-up roofing is cut in larger pieces and rests low on rooftops. Residential shingles are smaller and may receive scattered damage throughout roofing systems due to their design and the installation difference. 

Layered Protection

This type of roofing gets its name from the installation process. Layers of building materials are combined to "build up" a strong roof foundation. The layers of material are ideal for energy efficiency purposes because they have an insulating effect. This can help curb the cost of energy because it conserves energy.

There is also a reduced risk of roofs getting compromised by moisture, which can lead to premature roof replacements. The added layers can aid in preventing moisture intrusion. Moisture problems can cause a number of structural issues such as promoting mold and mildew growth or roof leaks. 

Commercial roofers are good resources to use if you need to get a new roof for your commercial property. They may advise you to simply upgrade the old materials with new materials of the same type. However, they may discover issues with your existing roof and recommend making changes to potions of the roofing system such as the design. You may also want to use the opportunity to discuss other roofing materials that may compare or exceed the performance of your current roof. 

To learn more about built-up roofs, reach out to a local commercial roofer.